Pantone DS Process Colour Matching

[Freeo]

G'day,

I had a client give us Pantone DS colours - (Pantone Process Guide) for colour matching and I told him he would have to give us pantone spot colours if he wanted us to match colour.

He got all pissed off that we asked for colours from the Pantone Matching System and he provided Pantone colours but could not match it from this alone.

Can anyone help me out on this issue?

Is the Pantone Matching System a separate identity to Pantone Process Guide? Cause thats what I've always thought.

How the shit can Pantone say that 'if you use these breakdowns you will get the closest result possible? What about output device calibration?

I thought thats why there were the little pantone chips they sell for a printer to match to? Instead now applications provide designers with the Pantone DS colour range and go here ? match this. WTF

Pantone are creating a lot of confusion but obviously by expanding their range of products their also cashing in on ignorant designers.

C'mon help me out

[clod]

I always considered them to be separate...Pantone Spot color guide for spot colors, the PMS Process guide for determining the CMYK "equivilant" of a PMS spot color...though they both set out to achieve the same color. There would obviously be some compromise in using CMYK equivilant instead of a PMS color with CMYK's limited gamut, but the benefit is that your not paying for an additional spot color. So perhaps your client wants you to match a specific color using CMYK and was thinking you were suggesting using a 5th color (?) but I'm not suere I fully understand the issue you present.

What about output device calibration?

Well, CMYK is definitely a device dependant colorspace, but if your concerned about the color values given in the PMS-Process guide printing as expected on your device you could proof those CMYK numbers and see what it looks like compared to the Pantone guide. If its way off, you could measure the patch in the pms spot color guide with a spectrophotometer to get the LAB values. Then create a new document in Photoshop in the LAB color space and plug in those values, then convert to your output space (SWOP, proofer or press profile). The resulting CMYK values should give a close simulation, though it will be limited by the device's gamut.

[Eyetech]

Let me thru'...I'm a printer...

Look, there are several PMS guides, solid to process, process, metallics, formula, chip guides, tint guides...

Basically you need to establish the least expensive route for the result your customer requires (I know, I know, it may come a shock but here and there, over this world of ours, there are the odd one or two printing emporiums that really do try to produce a job with the customers interests at heart) and so I suggest you have a look at the stature of your customers job (cash significance to your company), see if you can colour match using your prefered output (4 col pro/hex or simple spot col) give your man the price .. job done.

Anyway if your customer gets all pissed off and you don't value his business, double the price & ask for money up front.

[Freeo]

Yeah, thats what thought.

Thanks for the great replys, BTW we actually print for the outdoor market so its great big digital 4 colour process printing in all its glory.

To actually receive a match proof these days is no longer the norm so I think maybe with a little less attention to detail the designers have also missed out on some knowledge.

THanks again